LEAGUE ONE MEN’S

A season which promised so much with four potential promotion spots certainly delivered in the Football NSW League One Men’s competition.

The premiership went down to the wire with Central Coast Mariners claiming it on goal difference. However, it was St George City who got their revenge with an extra time victory over the Mariners in the Grand Final. Fitting, given the two teams could not be separated throughout.

Western Sydney Wanderers and Waratah Cup winners NWS Spirit FC made up the top four, which was only separated by three points at the end of 22 rounds. Elsewhere, Northern Tigers flew out to a fast start to the season undefeated in their first seven games but faded as the season went on, while the likes of Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Hakoah FC struggled to find enough consistency to challenge the top five.

Taking individual goalscoring honours were Emmanuel Gonzalez and Lachlan Bayliss who both scored 13 goals to share the golden boot, while Aaron Peterson, Alexander Badolato and Anthony Morabito also scored double figures.

Coach of the Season went to Mariners Head Coach Andrew Christiansen who led his side to the Premiership before parting with the club, while the Player of the Season was shared by Bayliss, doubling up with a second nod, and Spirit defensive midfielder Kota Odakura.

It was also a memorable campaign in the Cup competition, with the league holding a positive record over their top tier NPL NSW counterparts and, fittingly, Spirit coming away as Waratah Cup victors.

Their cup success comes at the end of a five-year project which has seen them transform into a side who will compete in the top tier next season.